Salute to Education is a scholarship program created and funded by the South Florida Ford and Lincoln dealers and Ford Motor Company. The program announced its 2016 award total of $168,000 in scholarships and laptop computers to 112 Miami-Dade and Broward County high school graduates.
Among the students selected were a number of locals. Melissa Gutierrez from Hialeah Gardens Senior High was selected for the Foreign and Language Arts category, Ryan Banos from Miami Lakes Educational Center and Phillip Cifuentes from Mater Lakes Academy for the Athletics category, and Adrian Cruz from Mater Academy High, Kara Powell from Barbara Goleman Senior High and Anay Ravelo from Hialeah Gardens Senior High were selected under the Leadership and Service category.
Michele Wu from Miami Lakes Educational Center was selected for the Mathematical and Computer Sciences category, and Gabriela Gonzalez from Mater Academy High, Justin Millares from Mater Lakes Academy and Victoria Robinson from Miami Lakes Educational Center were all selected under the Natural Sciences category.
The South Florida Ford and Lincoln dealers are committed to continue supporting South Florida students with their post secondary education. The students were recognized at the 22nd Annual Salute to Education Scholarship Awards Luncheon which took place on June 4 at the Signature Grand in Davie. Along with a scholarship check, the students received a brand new laptop.
“We recognize the tremendous potential in the students within the South Florida community and we are committed to continue helping them pursue their dreams of a higher education,” said David Menten, president of Salute to Education and president of Sawgrass Ford.